About Us

Kate Vannelli

Assistant Studbook Keeper

(2014 – present) Kate was born in San Francisco, California and has lived there most of her life. She attended the University of Oregon earning a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science with a minor in Biology. Kate has always been passionate about wildlife and animals and initially started getting hands-on experience by volunteering at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California. This sparked an interest in wildlife rehabilitation and education and led to three years spent volunteering at the Cascades Raptor Center in Eugene, Oregon. During these years her passion for wildlife conservation grew and she began following various conservation organizations, including the Cheetah Conservation Fund.

When the opportunity arose to intern at CCF in 2012, she jumped at the chance to get involved with wildlife conservation in Africa with one of her favorite animals, the cheetah. This internship provided experience in many aspects of conservation and upon returning to Oregon Kate got involved with programs including environmental education in the old growth forests in conjunction with the Pacific Tree Climbing Institute; community education and captive wild animal care through the Cascades Raptor Center; and work at a local veterinary clinic. It has been a goal of Kate’s to get involved with African wildlife conservation and she began working at CCF soon after graduation, taking the first steps to fulfilling this goal. At CCF, Kate’s primary role is the assistant to the International Cheetah Studbook Keeper, Dr. Laurie Marker, and she is also one of the primary caretakers and handlers of the four ambassador cheetahs.